The 6x6 Presentation Rule: Make Your Slides Shine

Have you ever seen a slide that had way too many words? It can be really hard to read and follow. Or maybe you gave a presentation, but people looked bored or confused. Don’t worry, that happens to a lot of people. The good news is, there’s an easy rule that can help. It’s called the 6x6 Rule. This rule makes your slides simple and easy to understand. In this blog, we’ll tell you what the 6x6 Rule is and when you don’t have to follow it. Ready? Let’s begin.

What is the 6x6 Presentation Rule?

The 6x6 Rule is a simple way that will help you make your slides better. You can use it in PowerPoint, Google Slides, or any other slide app. Here’s how it works:

• Use no more than 6 bullet points on one slide.
• Use no more than 6 words in each bullet point.

That’s it. This rule keeps your slides neat and simple. When slides are clean, people can follow along easily. But if you add too many words, things get messy. People might stop listening to you because they’re too busy reading the screen. And that’s not what you want. You want them to hear you, not just read your slides. The 6x6 Rule keeps things short and clear, so everyone can understand your message and stay focused.

Let’s say you’re giving a presentation about why eating healthy is a good idea. If you follow the 6x6 Rule, your slide might look like this:

• Boosts energy
• Improves mood
• Helps fight sickness
• Keeps a healthy weight
• Lowers stress
• Helps you sleep better

Each point is short and simple. It’s easy to read and understand. Your audience will get the main ideas fast, without feeling tired or confused by too many words.

Why is the 6x6 Rule Useful?

The 6x6 rule can be a game changer for your presentations. Here’s why it’s so helpful:

1. Prevents Information Overload: If you add too much text on a slide, it can be confusing for your audience. That’s why he 6x6 rule limits the amount of information, making it easier for people to follow along and remember your key points.
2. Keeps Your Audience Engaged: When slides are simple, your audience is more likely to listen to you instead of reading ahead. This helps you stay in control of the presentation and keeps people interested.
3. Makes Your Slides Look Professional: Clean, uncluttered slides look polished and well-prepared. And nobody likes a slide that looks like a page from a textbook.
4. Encourages Clear Thinking: To follow the 6x6 rule, you have to think carefully about what’s most important. Because this helps you focus on the key points and avoid adding unnecessary details.
5. Leaves Room for Visuals: With less text, you have space in PowerPoint or any other tool to add pictures, charts, or graphs. These visuals can make your presentation more interesting and help explain your ideas without using too many words.
6. Improves Retention: People remember information better when it’s presented in small and clear chunks. The 6x6 rule helps you do just that, making your message stick.

How to Apply the 6x6 Rule in Your Presentations

Using the 6x6 rule is easy, but it takes a little planning. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get it right:

Step 1: Plan What You Want to Say

Before you even touch your slides, take a minute to think. What is your presentation about? What are the main points your audience needs to know? Try to say everything in the easiest way possible. Write down your ideas on paper first. Focus only on the most important parts. This will help you avoid stuffing your slides with too much information.

Step 2: Turn Your Ideas into Bullet Points

Once you know what you want to say, break each big idea into smaller bullet points. Each slide should focus on just one main topic, with up to six short points to support it. Keep each bullet short, no more than six words. If you need more words, consider splitting the idea into two points or saving it for another slide.

For example, if you’re talking about recycling, your slide might look like this:

• Saves natural resources
• Reduces landfill waste
• Lowers pollution levels
• Conserves energy
• Protects wildlife habitats
• Encourages sustainable living

Short, clear, and easy to understand.

Step 3: Use Simple Words

Using simple words makes your presentation easy for people to read and understand. So, it’s better not to use big words that most people won’t know. Instead of saying something like “ameliorates cardiovascular functionality,” you can just say “improves heart health.” Try to speak like you’re talking to a friend. If a bullet point is too long, try to say it more simply. The goal is to make sure everyone understands what you mean.

Step 4: Add Some Visuals

Slides don’t have to be all words. Pictures, charts, and graphs make your slides way more interesting. They also help explain your point without using lots of text.

For example:

• Talking about sales growth? Add a bar chart.
• Explaining a process? Use a flowchart.
• Presenting about a place? Show a photo or map.

People understand pictures faster than words, and they remember them better, too. Visuals make your message clearer.

Step 5: Check Your Slides

Once your slides are ready, review them one by one. Ask yourself:

• Do I have six bullet points or fewer?
• Is each bullet point six words or fewer?
• Are the slides easy to read and understand?

If anything feels too full or hard to follow, it’s okay to break it into two slides. Clean slides are better than crowded ones.                    

Step 6: Practice, Practice, Practice

Now it’s time to practice your presentation. But don’t just read the slides like a robot. Use the bullet points as a guide and talk about them in your own words. This makes your presentation sound natural and interesting. Remember, you are the main speaker; your slides are just there to help you.

Want to know the best part? You can use the 6x6 Rule for all kinds of presentations, school projects, business meetings, classroom lessons, and more. It works everywhere because it's simple, and it makes things easy for your audience.

How to Use the 6x6 Rule Effectively

To make the most of the 6x6 rule, here are some things you can maintain:

• Use Big, Clear Fonts: Make sure the text is large enough to read from the back of the room. A font size of at least 22 points is a good rule of thumb.
• Choose Simple Fonts: Stick with easy-to-read fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Helvetica. Avoid decorative fonts that might be hard to read.
• Keep Colours Consistent: Use the same colours and style for all your slides so they look like they belong together. This makes your presentation look polished.
• Limit Animations: Slide transitions or animations (like text flying in) can be fun, but too many can distract your audience. Use them sparingly.
• Practice Out Loud: Practice your presentation to make sure it flows well. Check that you’re not just reading the slides but adding your own explanations.
• Combine with Other Rules: The 6x6 rule works well with other presentation tips, like the 10-20-30 rule (10 slides, 20 minutes, 30-point font). Combining these can make your presentation even stronger.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions:

Why should I use the 6x6 rule?

The 6x6 rule helps make your MS PowerPoint or any other slides less crowded. It stops you from putting too much text, which can confuse or bore your audience. It also makes your presentation look professional and helps people focus on your main points.

Can I break the 6x6 rule?

Yes, you can break the rule if it makes sense. For example, if you’re explaining a complex topic, like science or math, you might need more words. Quotes or specific data might also need more than six words. Use the rule as a guide, but do what’s best for your audience.

Does the 6x6 rule work for all presentations?

Not always. The 6x6 rule is great for simple presentations, like school projects or business updates. But for very detailed topics or creative presentations, you might need more text or a different style. Always think about what will help your audience understand best.

What if I need more than six bullet points?

If you have more than six points, split them across two slides. This keeps your slides clean and easy to follow. For example, if you have eight points, put four on one slide and four on another.

Can I use visuals with the 6x6 rule?Yes, Visuals like images, charts, or graphs are a great way to make your slides more interesting. They can explain your points without adding extra words, which fits perfectly with the 6x6 rule.

Is the 6x6 rule outdated?Some people think the 6x6 rule is too strict or old-fashioned, especially for complex topics. They say it can oversimplify ideas or make slides feel choppy. But it’s still a helpful starting point for keeping slides clear and focused.

Can I combine the 6x6 rule with other presentation tips?

Absolutely, the 6x6 rule works well with other tips, like using big fonts (at least 22 points), simple colours, or the 10-20-30 rule (10 slides, 20 minutes, 30-point font). Combining these can make your presentation even better.

Final Say

The 6x6 Rule is a very helpful trick for making your slides great. As it keeps your slides clean, easy to read, and people can follow them easily. So, instead of filling your slides with lots of words, you can keep the important things so that people can focus on the most important things. And that way, your audience doesn’t feel confused or bored.

But remember, this rule isn’t perfect for every situation. If you’re showing something big, like a quote, chart, or lots of data, you might need to change things a little. And that’s okay.

What really matters is your audience. Think about what will help them understand and remember your message. Use the 6x6 Rule as a guide, but don’t be afraid to bend the rules if it makes your presentation better.

With just a little planning and practice, you can make slides that look great and keep everyone interested. So next time you make a presentation, try the 6x6 Rule. It might just be your new favourite secret for a great talk.